Confirmatory Trial Worries Clouded Tazverik’s Accelerated Approval

Given the rarity of epithelioid sarcoma, ‘the possibility exists that this trial will not be completed,’ Division of Oncology 3 acting director Steven Lemery said in recommending approval; confirmatory trial is not expected to complete until 2029, and FDA reviewers suggest it may be underpowered to show an effect on progression-free survival. (Part 2 of our Drug Review Profile on the product.)

A huge storm cloud over the ocean with rays of sunlight poking through in at the horizon
Concerns about the confirmatory trial's feasibility and utility hung over the tazemetostat approval decision. • Source: Shutterstock

The US Food and Drug Administration granted Epizyme Inc.'s Tazverik (tazemetostat) accelerated approval for epithelioid sarcoma despite concerns that the required confirmatory trial may not provide useful information or even be completed.

The study’s design and expected duration, the drug’s availability under accelerated approval, and the rarity of the disease raise questions...

Pink Sheet Podcast

Learn what's happening at the US FDA. On the go.

Derrick Gingery and the team bring you a weekly "Drug Fix".

More from Drug Review Profiles

Akebia’s Vafseo: Japanese Postmarketing Data, Narrowed Indication Eased Liver Toxicity Worries

 
• By 

The Pink Sheet Drug Review Profile explores the US FDA’s approval of vadadustat to treat anemia in chronic kidney disease patients on dialysis. A complete response letter cited the risk of drug-induced liver injury, but postmarketing data from Japan reassured reviewers.

Vafseo Chronology: Complete Response Letter, Dispute Resolution And A Second-Cycle Approval

 
• By 

The Pink Sheet’s Drug Review Profile looks at the timeline behind the development and US FDA approval of Akebia’s Vafseo, a treatment for anemia in chronic kidney disease patients on dialysis.

The Next 340B Battle: Discount Duplication With Medicare Negotiated Prices

 
• By 

Manufacturers likely will have to determine when to provide a 340B discount on a drug assigned a Medicare negotiated price under CMS guidance. PhRMA anticipates the job will not be easy.

More from Product Reviews

data

New EU Filings

 
• By 

<p>Executive Summary</p> <p>Zanidatamab, Jazz and BeiGene’s investigational treatment for biliary tract cancer, is among the latest products that have been filed for review by the European Medicines Agency for potential EU marketing approval.</p>

data

EU CHMP Opinions And MAA Updates

 
• By 

<p>Executive Summary</p> This is an update of recommendations from the European Medicines Agency's Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use on the authorization of new medicines in the EU, and updates on EU marketing authorization changes recommended by the CHMP.

EU Biosimilar Filings, Opinions And Approvals

 
• By 

<p>Executive Summary</p> <p>A list of EU biosimilar filings, CHMP opinions and EU marketing authorizations, including details of the biosimilar company, the brand name/INN, indication(s), the reference product/company, and the date and type of event.</p>